Christening Organization

[TinkerTot28]

I've been on mumsnet for a while but I've name changed for this as it's outing if people who know me are on here.
So basically cut a long story short, there's been a lot of hassle regarding organising my LO Christening. Guests arguing about dates, saying can't come, Change it to another date. Unfortunately we can't change it -one problem down.
Next problem (this is where my AIBU comes in) it's a day time event and we've booked a reception afterwards, I was thinking a buffet style food for guests. OH has now decided he wants to book a DJ and a bouncy castle for the children that may attend.
Is this the done thing?
My opinion on the matter is it's not a birthday party, it's during the day so no need for DJ and it's a celebration for a little baby being accepted by God.
I'm prepared for being told IABU

I probably wouldnt get the DJ / castle unless there will be at least 15 kids there and 50+ adults. It is nice to have a "party" after but tbh sandwiches and cake are fine.

Maybe if theres loads of kids get a fun game like a board game for them to play? Or giant chess?

That sounds completely OTT to me.

Where is the reception being held? How many children will there be? What ages? And how many adults?

Currently planning my ds christening and we are having a reception, we are also having the kids dj and bouncy castle.

Dh & I have been to a fair few christenings in recent months and we have discovered that the goods dj's keep the kids entertained and include adults too (if that's what you want).

I wouldn't say you were BU for not wanting them, we are having them to give ourselves an easier time and the kids a better time!

DH's version sounds rather OTT.

A buffet in the church hall afterwards is totally normal (as is everyone ending up in the pub opposite), because that's the best (or at least easiest) way of including your normal congregation.

@Mulderitsme thanks for your reply. I think the same. I don't even think we'll have that many kids there... I don't imagine more than 10.
I get OH wanting to "party" but I've never been to a Christening that's had bouncy castles or DJs.
I just feel like it's taking away from what the day is actually about.

The reception is being held at the local sports club. It has a bar for drinks & we're providing the buffet style food.

I understand that some people have them to keep the kids out of the other parents hair.

I guess I just like the idea of a more traditional celebration

I'm glad I'm not being entirely unreasonable.

@Lyricallie that sounds lovely. That's my idea of a traditional christening reception.

OH has just decided we should have goodie bags to give out and the whole bouncy castle and DJ idea is cos he doesn't want boring.

I feel like I'm living in a circus

I’ve been to a lot of christenings. I would honestly cringe and make a quick getaway from one with a DJ and bouncy castle. I will be honest I have heard of this happening but it tends to be the families that dress up like they are going out for the night, will spend a LOT at the bar and see it as a ‘piss up’ rather than what it actually is. It’s a chav fest!

Goody bags!!!!

Honestly I think your dh's sounds fun for a child, you can give the parents the traditional side boring but let the kids have fun, why not? They will be bored out of the minds at your version. You could compromise at a bouncy castle and no DJ, a few party bags never hurt anyone

The christenings I've been to have either just been cake and coffee, or lunch at a restaurant. You just do a kids table if there's a lot of kids attending.
But really, I've never seen christenings as something that needs bouncy castles, djs and the like. That's for birthday parties and weddings imo.

Also I think it can be healthy to be bored. Kids don't need constant entertainment to live.

It's a christening not a party! They start early, so you'd only expect a buffet lunch, cake, tea/coffee, alcohol if people want that then drift off around 2/3/4. Some people may only stay for a quick drink afterwards.
If there are children there then why not have one table set up with colouring, non intrusive table games etc. At occasions like these children need to learn to act accordingly and not be a constant distraction/nuisance.

It’s a christening! If I were one of your guests, I’d expect cake or maybe a few sandwiches or similar (so buffet sounds good) and a glass of wine (hopefully champagne to wet the baby’s head) and I would expect to leave shortly after the end of the meal.

I’ll be honest - I wouldn’t want to spend my entire day with you just because your child has been christened. I’d be honored to be invited to the ceremony but anything more than 2.5 hours for a reception is too long.

Skip the DJ (or people will gossip about you trying too hard and being inappropriate for a daytime event/christening). Bouncy castle could be a nice idea if there are lots of kids but really not necessary. Party favours/bag sound weird for a christening.

Interesting conversation should prevent an event from being boring. People do not need to constant entertainment!

Thank you everyone for your responses. I'm not a catholic but I see a christening as something special that means a lot to be accepted and welcomed, I don't see it as a cringe fest that will occur if a bouncy castle, DJ and goodie bags follow.
I see the reception as a celebration after the baptism, a drink and a bit of food to say thanks for celebrating with us.
I don't get the whole "bored" thing, when I was a kid you played with other children and created your own entertainment.
Btw I only expect people to be there for a short time after if that.

I'm glad most of you agree and OH is BU

My son's baptism was last weekend. To avoid any of the problems you've mentioned, we held it during the normal Mass. Our guests then joined us and the regular congregation in the hall afterwards for tea/coffee and cakes. Minimal stress and fuss - and for me it wasn't about the party afterwards or the presents, it's the meaning behind the ceremony.

You’re completely right OP.

It seems to be the done thing these days to make a baptism celebration into a mini wedding. Some people I know have spent thousands.

We had a home made cake and an M&S buffet in our back garden. I don’t think the day was any less enjoyable for it though

@4TeensAndABaby that's the thing, it's being held at lunchtime and on a Sunday. It's the only time our church does it. So a massive party was never gonna follow in my opinion.
@Stinkytoe yours sounds perfect.

We had dd2's christening before Xmas, we hires a soft play company. Husband didn't want to but there were 25 kids invited and the person who I spoke to when booking the village hall said you wouldn't dream of having no entertainment for a kids birthday party so you need to have some hung to occupy that many kids. I'm so glad I did it kept them happy for hours. However if you're skint just buy loads of pens and pencils and photocopy some colouring books

Sorry about typo's

@Huntawaymama I think if there were going to be 25 children attending then I'd probably reconsider on entertainment but I think there's only gonna be half a dozen if that.
I get everyone does things differently and sometimes you need to make exceptions.

I might compromise on a bouncy castle but definitely not a DJ. It's not a evening wedding reception. Everyone has a coo at the baby, eats sandwiches and heads off home.

Alternatively a table set up with colouring/crafts etc for the kids would keep them occupied. You could do crafty goody bags so they could make something. Maybe get some blank jigsaws they can decorate, colouring, quizzes etc.

My ex husband insisted on our son having a huge christening and it was toe curling. He had traveller friends who let him have a fairground ride and he got pissed with his mates until the early hours.

Did christening with husband number 2 was church then tea and cake with a few friends and was lovely